Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania Honors His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon on 21st Anniversary of Consecration

BATH, PA [DOEPA COMMUNICATIONS]

On Friday, February 14, 2025, On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the clergy, matushki, and faithful of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, the Diocesan Media Office extends its congratulations to His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, on the occasion of his 21st anniversary of consecration to the episcopacy.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman presided at the consecration of Archimandrite Tikhon (Mollard) to the episcopacy at St. Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery on Saturday, February 14, 2004.

Archimandrite Tikhon was elected to the episcopacy by members of the Holy Synod of Bishops at their October 2003 session.

On the eve of the consecration Divine Liturgy, the canonical election of Archimandrite Tikhon as Bishop of South Canaan and Auxiliary to Metropolitan Herman was held in the monastery church of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

Before the Liturgy, Bishop-elect Tikhon made his profession of faith before the hierarchs. After his consecration, Bishop Tikhon ordained Deacon Justin Hewlett to the Priesthood and Subdeacon David Mezynski to the Diaconate.

A banquet followed at Saint Tikhon Seminary, where Bishop Tikhon received gifts from clergy and faithful.

In 1995 he was tonsured to the Lesser Schema by His Eminence, Archbishop Herman, and given the name Tikhon, in honor of Saint Tikhon, Enlightener of North America and Patriarch of Moscow. Later that year he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate and Holy Priesthood at Saint Tikhon Monastery.

In 1998 he was elevated to the rank of Igumen, and in 2000 to the rank of Archimandrite. In December 2002, he was named Deputy Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.

Following his nomination as ruling hierarch by a diocesan assembly and subsequent canonical election by the Holy Synod on May 27, 2005, he was installed as Bishop of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania on October 29, 2005. He also served as Rector of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary from 2005 to 2012. On May 9, 2012, he was elevated to the dignity of Archbishop.

On November 13, 2012, Archbishop Tikhon was elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America at the 17th All-American Council. The enthronement took place on January 27, 2013 at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Washington, DC.

May God grant His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, many years!

Eis polla eti despota!